On Thursday, ISIS fighters attacked a prison in the city of Al-Hasakah, northeastern Syria. Security forces are still fighting to control the area.
Heavy fighting is taking place in northeastern Syria after the Islamic State attacked the Kurdish-run Ghweran prison in the city of Hasaka. Kurdish-led forces, backed by US air strikes, have been battling militants in Hasaka since Thursday’s attack this week.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 28 people were killed in the Kurdish security forces, in addition to five civilians and 58 ISIS elements, writes BBC.
On Saturday, the Islamic State published a video in which it claimed the release of a number of its members in the attack on the prison. They are also said to have taken several hostages, according to the video.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, hundreds of prisoners have been returned to prisons, but some of them are still at large.
Kurdish security forces have surrounded the prison and are fighting for control of the surrounding neighbourhoods. People have fled their homes.
The prison houses 3,500 ISIS fighters from more than 50 countries, including some leaders. The offensive is the most ambitious of the Islamic State since its defeat in Syria nearly three years ago.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which receives information from a network of sources in Syria, a car bomb exploded at the entrance to Al-Ghwairan prison. An explosion occurred nearby as well, before ISIS fighters attacked the Kurdish security forces running the prison, writes France 24.
This is not the first time that ISIS has attempted to storm a prison in the area, the last time was in Derek in 2019. Then it was the US air attack that put an end to the attack.
Condolences
The Pentagon confirms that the US-led coalition carried out air strikes. US State Department spokesman, Ned Price, says in one press release They commended the Syrian Democratic Forces for their participation in the fight against the Islamic State in northeastern Syria.
“We extend our condolences to the families of the guards who were injured and killed in the first bombing and fighting that followed,” Price said in a press release.
According to the report, ISIS has had a top priority for attacking the prison for more than a year. Price says the attack highlights the importance and necessity of funding the global coalition to fight ISIS.
The credit goes to the International Coalition and the Syrian Democratic Forces for being able to prevent a number of attacks during this period, and to reduce the severity of this attack. The speaker says they made a tireless and skillful effort.
Price also says that they continue to stand with their partners to fight the Islamic State in the region. According to a local resident, support for the Islamic State has increased in the area due to the discontent of the Arab population, who accuse the Kurdish-controlled administration of discrimination, according to Reuters. The Kurdish-controlled administration denies this.
The Islamic State is still trying to destabilize the region. This attack is a powerful reminder of the real challenges facing the region.
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